Robin Van Persie’s season was fractured in two by spells on the sidelines – something we’ve come to expect from the fragile Arsenal striker. Typically however, Van Persie eventually emerged as a true Premier League force to display the benefits of his selection in our Fantasy squads.
A return to action in the New Year sparked a remarkable run of form as Van Persie spearheaded Arsenal’s title tilt with a run of goals that included a record-breaking spell of nine strikes in nine consecutive away games.
In a season where the likes of Wayne Rooney and in particular, Fernando Torres, stuttered and failed to live up to their pre-season billing and price tag, Van Persie came good on his promise to ultimately deliver his most successful Premier League form and biggest Fantasy returns since his arrival in England back in 2004.
The Statistics
With a starting value of 10.0 in the Fantasy Premier League game, Van Persie immediately smacked of potential. The striker’s fitness was a major concern however.
There were continued doubts over Van Persie’s ability to shrug off the physical strains of the top flight football following a number of injury setbacks in previous seasons. These concerns were soon realised as Van Persie suffered a foot injury in the gameweek 3 away win at Blackburn. The Dutchman missed the next seven gameweeks, only to return against Newcastle on November 7 and suffer a recurrence which kept him out again until gameweek 14. Several substitute appearances then followed, as Van Persie struggled to regain fitness. It wasn’t until New Year’s day against Birmingham at St Andrews that Van Persie played more than 35 league minutes in an Arsenal shirt – an occasion that was to mark his first Premier League goal of the season. From that point on, Van Persie was simply devastating.
He went on to score 18 goals in an incredible 19 match run from gameweek 21 onwards. This is made all the more remarkable by the fact that Van Persie missed two matches during this period to ultimately register 18 goals in 17 starts from December 27 through to the end of the season. Five assists were also gathered during this spell, whilst the Press Association awarded the Dutchman no less than 27 Bonus Points over those 17 matches. A simply incredible run of form which established Van Persie as an “essential” component of our Fantasy squads from the New Year onwards.
Two gameweeks stood out in particular. Arriving back-to-back, Van Persie delivered five goals in gameweeks 23 and 24 to return 31 points over a seven day period. His FPL ownership duly shot up with over 100,000 investors following in gameweek 25. By that point Van Persie’s value had been restored to his starting price of 10.0 – by the end of the season it reached the 11.0 mark as the Dutchman claimed a 25% ownership.
The Prospects
Given his end of season form, it’s conceivable that Van Persie will go into next term as our top Fantasy target. His ability to see out a full season will again be a major concern but even doubters will have to concede that if Arsenal get Van Persie out on the pitch and firing – he will deliver at a level of consistency that few, if any, Premier League player can match.
Integral to Arsenal’s attacking play, Van Persie comes deep to ensure he has a huge influence over Arsene Wenger’s side and is first to the ball not only on direct free-kicks but is also a contributor or deadball delivery from indirect free-kicks and corners. He is also likely to remain as Arsenal’s penalty taker.
New recruits and a shake-up at the Emirates is to be expected, but Arsene Wenger will also be aware that, if he can get Van Persie a strong and injury free pre-season, he has a striker in his squad who will start the season as one of the realistic contenders for next season’s Golden Boot.
Fantasy Managers will wonder if Van Persie has a 30-game league in his locker. If he can prove this to be the case next season, we could see Van Persie deliver returns on a similar level to Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2007/08. We can expect to pay for such potential however – Van Persie’s FPL price surely set to hover around the 12.0 mark next term.
